The past few years have been hard for the high street, with staples such as WHSmith, New Look and Morrisons announcing widespread closures. This year, 133 stores have closed or are earmarked for closure, and in May some huge names will be leaving for good.

This month, 25 big-name branches will close, which retailers have put down to changing customer behaviour, a downturn in profits and a shift in business strategy. 

Morrisons

As part of widespread closures across its stores, cafes and market kitchens, Morrisons will close one branch in May. The majority of stores earmarked for closure shut their doors on Wednesday 16 April, but the Haxby branch in Yorkshire will close on Monday May 14.

The chain's CEO, Rami Baitiéh, said changes are needed to "renew and reinvigorate" Morrisons, after it said that running services cost more than it was making from customer spending.

WHSmith

Three stores will close this month as the stationary giant sells off its high street branches to focus on more profitable areas of the business in airports and train stations.

• Oldham, Greater Manchester – May 3

• Stockton, County Durham – May 17

• West Mall, Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster – May 31

NatWest 

This month, 21 NatWest branches are set to close, which the banking giant has put down to changing customer behaviour. It reported a 62% drop in over-the-counter transactions between 2019 and last year.

• Aintree Black Bull, May 14
• Allenton, May 13
• Basford, May 21
• Cannock, May 12
• Eanam, May 12
• Hollinwood, May 7
• Farnworth, May 15
• Goole, May 14
• Leyland, May 15
• Long Eaton, May 29
• Louth, May 28
• Morley, May 8
• Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, May 1
• Rawtenstall, May 29
• Sheffield, May 7
• Trafford Park, May 20
• Urmston, May 13
• Wallasey, May 21
• Widnes, May 8
• Wilmslow, May 20
• Windermere, May 1